Interviews

The Steve Burton Interview- General Hospital

Courtesy/ABC

On General Hospital Steve Burton plays the loveable hit man, Jason Morgan, and after months of weaving in and out of other people’s storylines, Steve finally has one all his own! When the media frenzy that surrounded the shocking announcement that film star James Franco would be coming to GH, soap and mainstream entertainment audiences were wondering, why? To play what? But with Franco’s arrival, it gave Daytime Emmy Winner, Burton a super hot storyline touted as “Jason’s worst nightmare!” Over the past weeks, GH viewers have gotten a glimpse of James Franco’s, “artist whose canvas is murder” character, “Franco”. And today on GH and next week, Jason Morgan and his new sworn enemy come face-to-face!

Burton sat down with On-Air On-Soaps this week in his dressing room at GH, to discuss all things Jason Morgan. From the cat and mouse game of “Franco”, to working with the brilliant actor, James Franco, to what’s next for Sonny and Jason. Then of course, we address the ladies in “Stone Cold’s” life …Sam, Elizabeth and Carly. Steve who has become a fan of Twitter also discusses the importance of a soap opera fan base, and yes, we talk the cancellation of As the World Turns and what this mean to the soap genre. One of the most popular actors in the genre, all you need to do is hear Steve in the audio portion of this interview and know why. Charming, witty, and on top of his game, Burton tells it like it is, and then some!

Listen to the audio:

The storyline right now has been amazing, and you have had the opportunity to work with James Franco. So when you initially heard that James was going to be coming to GH, what were your thoughts? You knew for a while?

STEVE:

Yes, I had heard that it was a possibility. I don’t think anyone thought it was actually going to happen. James Franco and I have the same manager and James called him and said, “I want to do a soap.” I think after my manager woke up and regained consciousness, he said, “OK, if you are going to do one then General Hospital is the only soap you are going to do.” And James said, “OK, make it happen.” I guess that is how it all started and from there they tried to figure out a story and if it was going to be able to happen, and it happened and it was great.

MICHAEL:

I heard James had the daunting task of learning so much dialog in such a short time.

STEVE:

I think most people don’t really know how great a task it is until they get here. Especially, with a person like James Franco who is going to get so much media coverage. And obviously ABC is going to get as much as they can from James Franco being here. He shot twenty one shows in three days. He had a hundred pages of dialog every day he was here. And that is a daunting task in itself, but the truth is he has a very photographic memory. It amazed me. The fact he did not really look at the material that much before he got here, and he could do what he did when he got here…that amazed me, just by itself! We ended up having some great scenes. He is a nice guy. It’s funny one of the camera guys said to me, (because the last Friday James was here they were taping till 3AM), “Man, that guy went around and shook everyone’s hand at 3AM and said thank you.” I said, “It’s nice to hear, and I hope he comes back and if he does, this time I will kill him!” (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Then there were all the reports that his soap appearance was a bigger part of a performance art piece that James was doing with his collaborating partner, the artist named ‘Carter’…

STEVE:

I don’t know exactly, nobody knows. It’s a mystery. He had some camera guys following him around. He documents everything for himself…any project he does. James is in film school. So we don’t know if it’s for that. I might put “Carter” in a headlock… I don’t know who he is. (Laughs) Look, I have to commend James Franco for putting himself out there and coming on the show. He had everything to lose and nothing to gain. He generally seemed fascinated by how this worked. He seems to be that type of guy. I am saying James Franco is in school and he is at the height of his career, and then he comes to a soap opera?

MICHAEL:

This guy “Franco” is playing a really good game of cat and mouse with Jason. This week on GH, Jason had been called to “Franco’s” art loft and it’s part of a set-up.

STEVE:

As far as Jason goes, “Franco” is an interesting adversary because its nothing like Jason has ever seen. This guy is obviously not playing with a full deck, and this is obviously fun and games for him and his own amusement, and his sick art. Jason has never encountered anything like this before. So for Jason, this is a huge challenge, because there is a frustration of how am I going to deal with this guy? Obviously, he does not care about killing people. “Franco” could kill anyone at any single time and I don’t think Jason has ever gone through that before. That’s been good to play, and prior to this Jason wanted to stop killing for Michael’s sake, so he could be a better example to Michael. I guess Jason is having a bit of a moment of clarity of, ‘What am I really doing and what example am I setting? Can I really stop? Why do I do it? Do I enjoy doing it?’

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

You are playing all that into your performance. And Jason does not usually show ANY emotion, but there was one episode recently where you could see all this conflict going on inside his head.

STEVE:

I joke that I get paid for Jason usually doing one look. I always joke that my daughter always wants to have staring contests with me, but she does not understand that I do this for a living. (Laughs) So, it’s now good to see some frustration with Jason. I am glad Bob Guza (head writer, GH) came up with this to challenge Jason, in a character developing way. So, we will see what the aftermath is after James Franco leaves the show and what happens with the story.

MICHAEL:

When you meet “Franco” face to face, is there a stare-down there, too? (Laughs)

STEVE:

There is a psychological showdown which is going to be interesting for people to be watching. So should Jason just kill him? Turn outs… he can’t really, because “Franco” has too much knowledge of things that happened. So I am in a Catch-22.

He knows that, and that in itself is bad, and Jason’s top priority is to protect Michael. So, I have to play his game.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

STEVE:

(Laughs) It was funny because Jason had a question to Robin…”What makes this art?” This was a little too close to what Jason does and why all of a sudden is this art? Some eccentric whacked-out guy, says, “Oh, this is art?” We never know what makes art great anyway in real life, because it’s just an opinion. But this was pretty funny, because Sam and Jason are like, “I don’t really like this anyway.”

MICHAEL:

You and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) forged this on-screen chemistry between Spinelli and Jason. It is another unique relationship like you have with Maurice Benard (Sonny). What makes that work? Will Spinelli be helping even more to crack this case?

STEVE:

With my character, I am usually involved in other people’s stories, but this story is about Jason, which is great for me. Bradford and I have a great relationship off screen, which is why it carries over on screen, same with Maurice and me. Obviously, Spinelli and Sam are an integral part in figuring out what is going on with “Franco”. Spinelli is a good partner in crime.

MICHAEL:

Bradford said to me that he credited you with him being able to stay on the show, and that you really “sold” Spinelli to the audience… such as the Spinelli-isms. You were the ‘straight man’ that was needed to make those scenes work and were instrumental in him staying at GH.

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

Listen, the guy has talent. I could go up and say, “Hey, this guy is great,” or “Hey, keep this guy.” Not that I do that often, and I don’t really. I thought that character was going to be an absolute joke. When I saw the breakdown and I went, “Who is this…. Spicolli?” (Laughs) I said, “If this actor isn’t really good, it’s going to bomb and he will be off in two months.” But Bradford makes it work. I don’t know who he says those things to and I still don’t understand what he is saying to me half the time. (Laughs) It’s good to see these young guys like; Brandon Barash (Johnny), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Bradford. They are happy to be here, humble guys, and they want to learn.

MICHAEL:

As the World Turns was cancelled this week. I know GH has also stumbled through the ratings recently. What are your thoughts on this sad week in the industry and what this means moving forward for all of us involved and who watch daytime soaps?

STEVE:

It’s quite the cycle soaps are going through now. You obviously have been in the soap arena for a long time, Michael, so you know what’s going on. The writing was on the wall, so to speak, ten years ago. How much longer do soaps have? And now soaps are dropping off. I am not concerned yet about General Hospital because it has such a history. The numbers are good and I think people start panicking that we only have five seconds left or we are off the air. The thing of this is, it’s a sad day…. someone is losing a job, let’s be real. And in this economy that sucks! And as a genre as a whole, it’s not a good sign for soaps to be cancelled. So this helps us as writers, producers, actors and directors in this arena, to band together and try to make the best product we can make. That’s all that we can do.

MICHAEL:

You have often told me that you do not watch your work back. I know the pace in daytime is so fast. Will you watch back the scenes with James Franco?

STEVE:

Again, it’s not like movies where you get multiple takes. You get one or two takes and you are done and you move on. I might check these out on YouTube once they air. Let’s be realistic, James had 300 pages. Can he be great in every single scene? I don’t know. But I will tell you one thing; I was talking to Maurice about this. I am watching James, and I finished my material with him two Friday’s ago. One of his last scenes was a monologue to the camera in character, and he was fantastic! I watched the monitor and went, “That is why that guy is in movies.” He was so simple and he had a bit of emotion. It was a monologue explaining why the character is the way he is and it was great to watch.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

This whole rivalry started because “Franco” was pissed off that Jason would not acknowledge him?

STEVE:

Yes. “Franco” has this obsession with Jason, because he thinks he and I are the same because he loves death and he loves making art out of death. To Jason, he does not think twice about it. It’s his job, and it’s about people that are threatening him, the business or his family. To “Franco” it’s a game. He is a dark guy who probably has murdered. He thinks we are the same and he wants us to work together. I tell Maxie at the art show that I don’t want to meet “Franco” and that is where he turns.

MICHAEL:

Now let’s digress to the ladies in Jason’s life…JaSam, or LIASON? (Laughs) They put you and Kelly Monaco (Sam) back together again…JaSam!

STEVE:

Yes, they did. Listen, I just got back from an appearance and there were a lot of Elizabeth and Jason fans. And look, I have a job to do. I love working with Becky Herbst (Elizabeth) and I thought there was probably a lot more they could have told with Jason and Elizabeth and Jake. But that is not the way they went, and that is just how it goes. They want Jason and Sam back together, so now my job is to make that work.

MICHAEL:

Who are they? The powers-that-be?

STEVE:

ABC or whoever… so my job as an employee is to say, “How can we make this work again?” That is what we are doing now, and it’s going well.

MICHAEL:

If you were to say a few words about working with Kelly Monaco, other than she is beautiful, what would you say?

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

Kelly is easy to work with, and our goal together is to make our scenes the best they can be. She is always up for that and a lot of actors might not be.

MICHAEL:

So you actually rehearse and she might knock on your dressing room door and come in? (Laughs)

STEVE:

We will go in the green room and go over scenes. We have so many, so we have to focus and we try to show our relationship through that. Kelly wants to push and grow as an actress, and it’s working out.

MICHAEL:

In fairness to equal time, can you give me a few words on working with Becky?

STEVE:

Becky and her husband, Michael Saucedo, and I are good friends off camera. I have spent time with them at their house. I have spent the night at their house and again, I think there is something to be said about having an off-camera relationship that translates to the screen. It just never feels like we have to work at it.

MICHAEL:

Many would love to see them together, but Jason and Liz, they just can’t quite get together. And as a fan you are like, “Please already! Get together!”

I think the great thing about Jason and Elizabeth was you saw a side of Jason where he kind of wanted the family and the white picket fence, and that is what Elizabeth represented. “Let’s just shut my world out… and the violence and the business… and let’s just live in a cottage with our kid.” But that was not the reality, because of what Jason does. Sam is the other aspect of that. She is “born to be wild” we are. She is someone I can shoot people with. (Laughs) We are the adventure couple, so it’s a tough situation for Steve Burton.

MICHAEL:

So should fans expect a continuation of JaSam?

STEVE:

I believe Jason and Sam will be together coming up, once the Franco thing resolves. I think the next progression in the story is what is Jason and Sam’s relationship? Where do we go from here?

MICHAEL:

Are you really going to forgive her?

STEVE:

Do I have a choice? (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

No, but I am trying to think of what other woman Jason could be with? And then…. there is Carly.

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

I think that is one of the best relationships and it would ruin it if they paired them romantically. I think the writers understand that. I think it’s a unique relationship that Jason and Carly have, but I don’t think it would work if they were put together. That’s just my opinion because I love working with Laura Wright (Carly).

MICHAEL:

Sarah Brown (Ex- Claudia) and I talked about you recently.

STEVE:

I love Sarah, and I have always touted her. You work with a lot of great actors and actresses in daytime, and Sarah Brown is very unique in the fact that I don’t think I have ever seen an actress like that before. She is great!

MICHAEL:

Where are Sonny and Jason at with this “Franco” business? Are our two favorite mob guys on the same page this time? I get confused if Sonny and Jason are friendly, or not friendly, or where they are at.

STEVE:

It is hard, and once we started working again with the Zacchara’s and I took the business back, it was a bit weird. I think they are on the same page, but I don’t think they are on the same page with “Franco” right now. Sonny wants to get rid of him and I can’t have that happen. “Franco” is playing games, and you just don’t mess around with someone who is doing that. We have some conflict there, and I think from there things will be pretty smooth sailing until we get into the next story. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Or, until the next villain comes to town. To me, GH is like Batman! Here comes the new villain…for example, here’s the Zacchara’s, and then here are Jason and Sonny to fight them off.

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

I think so. What is cool about this part is, it’s almost like Batman in a sense that I guess Jason would be Batman and “Franco” would be “Joker” You watch Heath Ledger in Batman and you understand why his character was the way he was and you felt kind of bad for him… which is always an indication of a great actor, and the same thing with “Franco”. You will know why he is the way he is.

MICHAEL:

Will you stay in touch with James Franco?

STEVE:

Well, I hear he wants to come back for another show. I don’t know if that is going to happen or not, but I think he is following the show a bit and he is interested in the medium.

MICHAEL:

How has it been working with Michael, Drew Garrett?

STEVE:

I think whatever hospital he stayed in I want to go to, because if I ever get into a wreck and go from a four-foot redhead to a six foot blonde guy, I would like to go there. Whatever they were giving him in the IV’s, I want triple. (Laughs) Drew is great; I think he has everything you need to be a great actor. He came in and was thrown into the fire. It takes some time to adapt if you have never done this before. And people either adapt or they don’t. I think he is finally feeling comfortable, and when someone is comfortable and confident, that is when you need to watch out. For me, acting here is like acting in my own living room. So I can be as free and as comfortable as I want, and once someone gets there and learns how to be comfortable, that is when you will see great stuff out of that kid. I feel right now he is coming into his own.

MICHAEL:

But Michael is continuing to have anger problems, outbursts, and now he killed someone and idolizes his father, Sonny.

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

I think Jason feels a huge responsibility for the way Michael is. That is why Jason wants to be a better example for him. Carly and Jason have made choices. Carly gives Jason unconditional love. She says, “You do what you have to do to protect us,” and that is what makes our relationship great. I care about Michael and should I have given him up? You know, I had a line in a show where I said, “I am pretty sure he would have never killed anybody if he was with the Quartermaines.” That says something for Jason to say that. I think Jason has come to the realization of ‘my life is what it is. I am good at what I do. I don’t know what else to do and Michael is going to have to come through this.’ Is Michael going to become part of the family business? Jason hopes not, but its not looking great for that. (Laughs) You see that coming. Being a young kid, it’s exciting to look at all the money and power, and it’s a natural thing to be drawn to. Hopefully, we can keep him out of it, but eventually it’s going to be Sonny’s call.

MICHAEL:

Why, oh why, way back, when did Jason feel he had to give up Michael? That was one of the best relationships, and Jason was a father to Michael!

STEVE:

I think he wanted Michael to have a family, and at the time he gave him up, that was Sonny and Carly. Sonny is a mentor of Jason’s and is as close to a father or brother that you can have, so logically it made sense.

MICHAEL:

You won an Emmy. Do you remember that night?

STEVE:

You are the first one that made me think of that in a long time. I remember that night and I remember seeing you that night. Listen, it was a great honor and a great night. It’s hard to win an Emmy.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

You are now big into Twitter. Why so, and what do fans say to you the most?

STEVE:

I never really got into facebook and myspace, but Twitter seemed like a logical avenue to have direct communication with fans for me. Most of it is, “We appreciate what you do. We appreciate your hard work, and what General Hospital means to us.” I like that about Twitter. You can be personally in contact with fans. I believe, personally, in serving people. I appreciate the fans for watching, and if they didn’t watch things might be different. I believe a huge part of my success on this show was due in part to the fact of going on appearances every weekend when I started as Jason Quartermaine. I would go to Sears, or a mall, and sign the autographs. It was grass roots. It was building a fan base and when I switched characters, a lot of those people continued to follow me. I feel that I owe something to them; to hear their voices and stay in contact with them. I was just in San Antonio, and I did a special thing where I hung out with five people from Twitter after the show. I did it for an hour. It was cool!

MICHAEL:

The holidays are upon us. What will the Burton’s be doing for Christmas?

STEVE:

The Burtons will be staying home this year for Christmas, and probably having a Griswold Christmas like every other family that doesn’t have a perfect family. (Laughs). Listen, we are here to celebrate the birth of Christ and that is what we do. Sometimes they commercialize the holidays with gifts…. and like for Valentine’s Day, you have to buy your wife diamonds and this and that. It’s about staying together with your family and being with the people you love.

MICHAEL:

What’s about to ring in 2010? Any plans?

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

No, we don’t do a lot for New Years. We used to get together with some friends, but now we all have kids. So we are all worn out by the time Dick Clark comes on and I am in bed by ten. It’s an exciting life style I have! (Laughs) You should have interviewed me on this twenty years ago!

MICHAEL:

Scott Reeves just started on air as Steven Lars Webber this week, and you two are buds.

STEVE:

Scott and I are great friends and he is a talented guy, and it worked out he came here. He probably could have come to any number of shows, but for some reason people everywhere love GH. I talk to a lot of other actors who go, “Oh man, I love your show.” You know, in the make-up room there are a few shows that the cast will talk about and one of those is The Young and the Restless. We love the stories on there. It would be a great show to go on as an actor. But for Scott, it was a good fit for him, and we get to work together today for the first time. So, I don’t know how we are going to keep straight faces, because we joke a lot. On his first day, I made sure I got here early and I hid in his closet in the dressing room. When he got in, he was checking his voicemail and I jumped out of the closet and scared him to death (Laughs). So we play pranks on each other all the time.

MICHAEL:

Will Jason and Steven Lars cross paths?

STEVE:

Courtesy/ABC

He works in the hospital and I put people in the hospital… so…. (Laughs) Bob Guza is trying to write something so we would interact, since we are good friends in real life. So he thought it would be good to put us together for a few scenes here and there, otherwise it would not make much sense.

MICHAEL:

So Steve, in closing, why should we tune in to GH over the holidays?

STEVE:

I think you should watch General Hospital in the next couple weeks because I think it’s the best it’s ever been for a long time…. 100%! The show is going in a great direction, and I feel there is story for everyone in the cast and the fans will see a lot!

For more with Steve, check out this week’s edition of the syndicated country/soap radio program, The Scott and Melissa Reeves Show!

If you can please give this message to Mr. Burton, that while I was a loyal GH fan for 25yrs of 10 yrs for SBu, Jason & Elizabeth this whole reuniting of Jason & Sam has made me turned my TV Off. I waited 10 long years, yes Ten years for Jason & Elizabeth to have a storyline and it wasn’t with the picket fence. That’s were Steve and TPTB got it wrong. There’s NO way we wanted Jason out of the mob. What we wanted was to see Jason balance both the mob and family life. Jason’s character while with Elizabeth was showing so much “PROGRESSION” now they have REGRESSED him to a Cowardly punk who doesn’t know his left from his right.
For example: Jason owned a Mechanic shop, but for some odd reason he couldn’t fix the car but his side-kick walks over and bam the car is fixed..what kind of mess is this. I am pissed because he never mentions his son or even things about Jake. As far as I’m concerned Jason is a poor excuse of a man. The “REAL” Jason fans will never, ever except is current sidekick because of the danger she put Cam & Jake in. Not once but twice. Jason has to forgive her because that’s what tptb’s want but guess what the viewing audience will not forgive this character. And it should be quite obvious that we will not come back, GH spent tons of money promoting this Jason & his sidekick adversting love scenes and magazine covers and all the air time in the world and what did they rake in 1.7 yes 1.7 ratings. And everytime Jason & sam are the tag for the next day ratings DROP. Jason & Elizabeth and their fans deserved so much better than what they got which was NOTHING.

YOU ARE SO RIGHT . I ABSOLUTELY ENJOY SAM WITH JASON 100%. ELIZABETH IS GOOD WITH LUCKY OR NICK. PLEASE ALWAYS KEEP SAM WITH JASON. WHEN JASON WAS WITH LIZ, I STOPPED WATCHING. THEY JUST DON’T HAVE CHEMISTRY TOGETHER.

We Liason fans just wished SBu would of wanted and worked harder to have Liason grow more!I would like to know and understand how JASON could even speak to Sam after wishing and preying his son would die.That is JUST to much for his fans to get!

I dont quite understand what SB is saying when it comes to the family and white picket fence stuff with Liz and Jake, since Jason was more than willing to do the same with Sam and her baby and HOPE.Why not just admit that somewhere along the line, TPTB and possibly SB himself, wanted Jason to have a child and Still be a mobster,and they didnt want to use Sam, instead they went with Liz.Unfortunately, there was no build up to that relationship, it seriously was doomed to fail, especially since it involved destruction of Sam, Lucky, Alexis and Ric.
Doesnt it seem as if GH has become all about SB and his friends or people he shares a manager with? I think the interviewer was very good.

Thank you for clearing up some stuff. I am a ten year Liason fan and want you to know we are still around and rooting for our couple. I understand you have to do your job, we just want the best for you and hope you get back to your son really soon.

Thank you for the kind words for your fans and we know you are doing a terrific job. Hopefully, you will wake up from this present relationship and get back to yourself. Ha.

I am enjoying the growth of Jason Morgan and your interaction with Franco. It really shows the challenge of a great actor.

I hope you can do more scenes with the Quartermaines and Jake and Elizabeth. We love you with Diane and hope you can be with Steven at the hospital.

I hope you and Spin do more stuff. Have you ever considered a MOC with Maxie?? That would be really funny.

PS – We really don’t want you to marry anyone. But please find a way to take Elizabeth to Italy, OK?? Even if you have to send her and then surprise her there someday.

We really love seeing our bad-guy Jason. But ride your motorcycle more often and remember Liz at the overlook.. OK??

Sincerely and best of everything! Merry Christmas to you and your family……..

Steve Burton is always amazing and funny and I enjoyed the interview very much. It’s just a shame that the “they” he spoke of don’t get that what people like me in the viewing audience is a love story, hitory, family, action and adventure and danger all rolled into one. Regardless of why Jason and Elizabeth broke up, the fact remains that the message General Hospital sent to me as a viewer was family isn’t enough. Love isn’t enough. And to have Jason –a character who has always put the safety of children and those who cannot defend themselves above everything else — to be with a woman who not only targeted a child but HIS child? Had me turning off my tv. I can’t look at Jason (and to be fair, Elizabeth’s story isn’t much better). I used to watch GH every day, now I barely watch at all. 3 million viewers with Jason & Elizabeth last year. It really seems like a no brainer here. But hey, if ABC wants Jason to go in a certain direction, that’s fine…. just a shame it looks like their audience wants something else.

Michael – Loved the article – very thoughtful. Love GH and love Jason and Sam together. I think people forget that it’s a soap opera and people do good things and people do bad things and then are good again. IT’s FANTASY – ESCAPING REALITY! Most of the things on Soaps never happen in real life – that’s why I watch. I live in reality – I don’t need to watch it on TV. This character bashing and actor bashing is so ridiculous. And to stop watching a show because they didn’t put your favorite couple together is ridiculous – if you’re only watching for one couple – then you aren’t getting the full experience. I love all the characters on GH – even the ones I hate – look at Tracy Q, Luke, and Monica, Edward – they aren’t perfect – they have done bad things in the past – yet there’s just something about them.

The ratings started dropping with Liason!GH and threw everyone under the bus for Liason and when it happen their was no chemistry!All of a sudden Liz is the white picket fence woman, why?He wanted a child with Sam and she should be able to have one. I liked Lusam and we were wanting those 2 to have a child, after all a Spencer and a Cassidine. I think GH is in need of new writers and Head Writers.

I think the problem isnt that people are not watching because their favorite couple is not on. The fact of the matter is that ABC or whoever never invested in the Jason and Elizabeth story. They had a beginning and end no middle and these fans were waiting for years to see this happen and it is disheartning when there is a Huge fanbase yet the writers dont write the story. Jason and Sam had more scenes in one month than Jason and Elizabeth had in 2 years tell me how that is fair to the veiwers . Jason and Sam had a run of three years before the breakup and the funny thing is their fans say Jason and Elizabeth had 2 no they didnt IMO they were never a couple at all.

During Kelly’s stint on “Peepshow where she had a limited taping schedule the writers could have taken Jason and Elizabeth to the next level and given them time to try and see if it would work. If when Kelly was available they went back to Jason and Sam it is what it is. But the writers did a total turn around and basically have Jason and Elizabeth on seperate planets. Even when Jason and Sam were not together they had scenes.

Great interview! As far as the Jasam/Liason debate goes: First, I don’t ever recall Sam wishing and preying that Jake would die – I think that’s a bit of a stretch. Second, I think we have seen Jason progress rather than regress with Sam – the character does have a name. Jason has never forgiven anyone and we are seeing him learn that the world is not black and white. People make mistakes and do horrible things and deserve forgiveness. Lucky, Sam, Jason, and Elizabeth all made horrible mistakes and all atoned for them. I will never understand why fans have to pit the couples against one another. They tried Liason for two years and then decided to go in a different direction, period the end. It’s not Steve’s fault, it’s not Kelly’s fault, it’s not Becky’s fault. Right now we have Sam and Jason and that’s the story and I commend both Steve and Kelly for playing it so well. Thank you for bringing a great show to my screen every day.

Great interview with SBu. When he was talking about how fascinated Franco is with the ins and outs of how a soap is done I though of something. Rebecca H is one of the best actresses on the show. I am so disappointed Franco didn’t get to work with her. He would have really been able to do something reacting off her and visa versa. Franco generously came on the show, he should get to work with the best GH has to offer.

Something else SBu said impressed me. It’s very generous of SBu to work so hard with KeMo to get scenes right. I hope she learns a lot from him. Loved that he complimented Beccy and how easy it is for them to have the connection. Explains why even in smallest of scenes they are so infused with substance.

I think KeMo is great at what she does. If she were playing a villain right now I know her skills would be shinning.

KILLS me when I read the powers that be don’t have the vision for Jason and Elizabeth. The actors and fans do!! The fanfic out there is amazing! (you should do an article on it)

The best part for me is Jason and Elizabeth stand on their own. So if they are paired they still get to have their own stories. LOVED the stuff Jason did with Johnny and Spin (reminded me of Lethal Weapon). And Elizabeth brings in the Qs, Scrubs, Steve (Webber) etc into Jason’s life.

I just watched Jason & Franco – and they were great! They are all that was advertised and the promise of so much more to come. I am a Jason fan 4ever and so happy that he has the opportunity to showcase his talents in a s/l that is all about him.

I like Steve and appreciate his need to not say anything to upset either fanbase. However, I am one of those fans who is disappointed that Jason and Elizabeth have never had their story told. I wish the execs could think outside of the box and see that Liason is where the best stories would come. They could be a modern day super couple if given the screen time and dialogue. And they certainly could be more than just a “white picket fence” couple! Too bad someone at ABC would rather ruin the character of Jason Morgan by having him return to a woman who did so many terrible things to his son than go forward with Liason. The ratings over the past yr have reflected the viewer’s disgust. I know in soaps relationships come and go, so I hope that soon Liason will come back around and finally get their turn.

Mr. Burton is a smart and inteligent actor..
As a former fan of GH for 30ty plus years. I find his comments about Liz and the white picket fence sad.
You don’t promote a story where you choose a woman over your child and that is what ABC, TPTB, Frons, Kelly, and Steve have done.
It shows a complete lack of respect for the family an institution.
If Jason were with anyone other woman; than the woman who intentionally put his child in danger I could have remain a fan.
Yet he went after a woman that hurt Michael but not with any intent and went to bed with a woman who hurt his own child.
It’s too bad that he does not see it.

the whole issue with jason forgiving sam over his child I think fans seem to forget some info. First Jason is a little to blame for putting sam in that state that she was in at the time cuz he lied and never told sam liz was pregnant with his baby. I’m not saying what she did was right but sometimes in life people do things that they would never imagine doing. Also think how one would feel if u couldnt have children cuz u were shot due to your boyfriend job but his ex is having his child. Also lets not forget that if it wasnt for sam jake would be dead ok dead. she rescued him from when he was in that bar where it exploded due to jason goin and firing shots. she also showed alot of remorse. so in the end i think sam should be forgiven. I do love liz but not with jason she belongs with lucky cuz he her soulmate. The only way I see jason and liz getting back together is if jason get knocked over the head and turns back to jason quartermaine.

I’m so tired of hearing that it’s Liz or Jason’s fault for keeping the secret of Jake’s paternity. Elizabeth knows about Jason’s life. She knows that Jason will never forgive himself if Jake was ever a target and HE WOULD BE. I’m tired of people acting like being with someone is more important than protecting a child. Jason gave up being with Elizabeth like a good father would do. I’m tired of others acting like if Sam let Jason raise her child she would be his soulmate. Like come on, brainwashed much? This isn’t about a couple. It’s about a child. And what I hate is how they acts like Liz can’t and won’t accept Jason. She did. She didn’t like it, she didn’t choose it – but she accepted it and she was willing to take the risk. Before Sam even came on the show she was shot, kidnapped and almost died of a bomb because she was important to Jason. Jason pushed her away but she kept coming back because she loved him; she even didn’t leave because she couldn’t without him. Elizabeth knew Jason’s life and that he pushed away those that he loved . Sam was shot in Jason’s arms. This was something that happened before and to Elizabeth too. She was shot in the cross fire of Zander and Jason. But for Sam she couldn’t have kids. So she almost died and Jason pushed Sam AWAY. Sam refused but Jason DIDNT care. Just like Jason did with Elizabeth. Sam then slept with ric. She was the one who hurt Jason on PURPOSE. Fuck that crap on she was feeling like ‘trash’. Who cares how she felt. She was involved with him she needed to understand that Jason did it for her like he does with everyone. But fine. Sam was hurt too; but Sam HAD NO RIGHT TO BE ANGRY at Elizabeth for sleeping with Jason. They had a baby together and like I said before. They kept it a secret FOR the baby. That what being with Jason MEANS. Jason & Elizabeth know each other; they trust each other and they LOVE each other and yes Sam had the right to be mad but she sure as hell did not have the right to do what she did to Jake. For god sake it’s a baby!!!!!!!!! innocent baby. People can spin in it in any way they want they could say that the lie was bad but it was the BEST thing a family could do for a child. That to me is when JaSam stopped working. JaSam were forced forced and more forced. thd only reason why Steve rooted for JaSam is because the board told him to and whether he denies that or not that’s what happening. I don’t agree with what happens on screen but we’ll have to accept it and Liason fans that don’t watch they have a reason not too. We were robbed. Our couple got ruined to prop JaSam. Liz was NEVER a white picket fence type of girl. She was a rebel. She lost her innocence for God sake. She liked to be free, to go on motorcycle rides. Liason always wanted to be together. It was never forced. It was never a trap. They will always find their way back to each other and if you think about consistency you will see that GH has changed characters according to their specifications. at the end of the day, you choose what you want to believe but they can’t erase the past. They can’t erase history and history has proven that Liason were never about a lie. Never. They were about honesty. They were never about a white picket fence. Elizabeth is nobodies little angel. And Jason’s true character will never be with the woman who did all those things to his child. Liason are the story. They never got their story but at least their history is there and beautiful.

Great interview, Michael. Thank you, Steve, for sharing your thoughts with us and for appreciating the fan support you have received throughout the years.

Unfortunately, GH is not a soap I watch anymore. There is not one character that I can root for. There is not one couple that I truly care about. I watch soaps for romance with some action sprinkled in. This show does not know how to do romance. It knows how to do sleazy sex. It knows how to do violence particularly against women. It knows how to hype stories and sweeps with no follow-through.

I got tired of storylines that just fizzled and went away with no resolution. The toxic-ball ‘event’ was laughable. Storyline continuity was non-existent. It bordered on being a parody of itself! I don’t expect to see Masterpiece Theater when I sit down to watch a soap. I understand the concept of “escapism” and the occasional crazy storylines. But I’m also not an idiot…I want to see stories that make sense and are well-written.

I saw the character of Jason Morgan become someone I did not recognize this year. For the better part of ’09 he was a baby-sitter and a wimp. Without explanation, he has reunited with the woman who endangered his son not just once but twice. The Jason Morgan I have always loved is someone I don’t even like anymore. He is being written as a hypocrite of the worst kind.

GH seems to be content with their ratings. I guess like the “C” student, it is happy being mediocre. There is a reason that Y&R is number one week in and week out, year in and year out. They know and respect their audience and don’t ‘dumb down’ the show. It is written intelligently and with consistency. GH? Not so much.

Y&R was almost cancelled. I’ve seen some pretty ridiculous story lines in Y&R… Not all “C” students are setting a goal for mediocrity. Did you get all A’s?

wimp? hypocrite? dumbing down? sleazy sex and violence?
The character of Jason Morgan can hardly be considered a wimp, either by design (writers), or delivery (actors). As for hypocrisy, when a person/character grows and develops, that is not hypocrisy in action, it is forgiveness, love, and owning the truth of humans as complex beings. The character of Elizabeth is known for being good, true, sweet, kind, perfect…yet has cheated, lied, hated, spewed…she had an affair with her “beloved’s” brother. she hid the paternity of Jake from Jason. The character has behaved abominably in so many ways, even while laying claim to her “goodness”.
GH has done stories on breast cancer, lung cancer, rape, domestic violence, abuse, addiction, etc. There’s no dumbing down here. I am 50. I’ve been watching GH off and on since it was taped in black and white. I can only remember one story line that was so ludicrous I had to turn the set off…bringing that Cassidine dud back from the dead. That was just idiotic. Other than that rather supreme lapse in judgment, the writers, producers and actors, have kicked butt through the years.

Sleazy sex and violence…unless we plan to give up television, films, books, radio, internet, life…there will be no escaping gratuitously sleazy sex and violence. There is certainly no soap that has not traded in them both. Fortunately, GH writers give us more than just those moments.

Writers give their actors the raw materials and actors must interpret. When each group is on their game…MAGIC! GH has supplied me with more magic than any other soap. While it is true that I do not watch daily, I know that when I do tune in (youtube), I will hear quality dialogue and I will watch quality acting.

the truth is we all have our favorite soap actors/couples. i think we need to remember that soaps offer us a route for temporary escape. the best ones let us escape AND show us life at all levels. That is GH.

BTW, I really support JaSam. Here is why. Steve Burton and Kelly Monaco have worked tirelessly to create a relationship that not rings true. The writers for this couple should be scrambling to give them not only more material, but their best material. The actors deliver honest interpretations and they dig deep to create an emotional tie to their audience so that we connect and feel what they are feeling, or wish we had what they have. Sam’s loss of baby lila, Jason’s memory loss, Robin’s treatment, Maui x2, the surgery, Sam being shot by Manny and Jason’s face at the moment of realization, Jason growing past the coldness and black and white world to a world where he sees and feels gradations, color, love, forgiveness. Sam and Jason learning that betrayal doesn’t have to be the end. This is escape…but it is also life. And as a television couple, no one has interpreted the breadth and depth of those situations and emotions better than Steve/Jason and Kelly/Sam.

Steve is such a great guy. I enjoyed meeting him and Becky Herbst in Vegas. I think that was when I realized why I love Jason and Elizabeth so much. Becky and Steve were so funny together, so natural. You could see their friendship and that translates onscreen. I really hope in this crazy world of soaps where stories can turn on a dime that TPTB will give Jason and Elizabeth a real chance.

I have not been able to get into the current storyline. I was so hoping to see something new. With Elizabeth, Jason seemed to be growing up and getting a family of his own rather than just worry about Sonny’s. They were a great blend of mob and hospital, danger and romance, adventure and family. Opposites attract and the magic was amazing. I hope Jason can someday be in Jake’s life with Elizabeth and Cam. Jake’s paternity reveal could bring in the Qs and it would be a story I would love to see.

I would have loved if Franco had uncovered Jason’s connection to Elizabeth. With Elizabeth being an artist, there could be a natural interaction and I’d love to see Jason fighting to protect Elizabeth and Jake rather than just Michael, Sonny and Carly. Here’s hoping TPTB realized the getting Elizabeth and Jason together would raise ratings and bring back viewers!

Great interview! Full of lots of great insight and humour.
I have been a huge fan for a long time (my Mom watched)- which makes me miss the Quartermaines. Anyway, I really think Jason can evolve and incorporate his tough guy and his big heart, by taking over “Q”. (If I remember correctly he could be a majority shareholder)
This would leave room for him to claim his son, the love of his life Liz, and still kick butt.
He could even take down Jax – legally – lol.
Steve, you are a terrific actor and I really enjoy your work.
Best to you and your family and God Bless.
Merry Christmas

HALLELUIAH – LOVE audio interviews. Thanks so much Michael – I enjoyed this interview! It’s always nice to hear an interview rather than just reading it because sometimes people can misconstrue writing but actually hearing how things are said makes a huge difference so again, thank you for uploading the audio version.

I am watching GH full time again now because I’m a huge fan of the mob/action aspect and of Jasam. And it is pronounced like Steve said – haha.
I think Steve and Kelly have amazing onscreen chemistry and their characters bring romance and action to the show. I am so happy the writers are having them each forgive eachother for what they both did in the past and are moving forward. I understand as a soap fan that they had to completely blow them up in order to try other couples like Liason. However, they just don’t make sense. If Jason turned back to Jason Quartermaine then yes, Liason would work. I completely understand why Steve and Becky might have been frustrated since the writing was just not there for them. They went in circles for almost 2 years and it was very difficult to watch such repetitive dialogue.

I am happy they are going back to what makes sense for Jason and Sam’s characters. They are the only ones for eachother that have accepted their lives and understood how they work. After 2 years I didn’t think Jasam would pull me back in but they have – probably because of the undeniable chemistry between Steve and Kelly. I can’t wait to see how it progresses!

Thank you so much for posting and for asking great questions! Have a fantastic weekend!!

Jasam are incredible! They were amazing for 3 years and the only way the writers could convincingly break them up was by them each doing horrific things to eachother. I hope that this time they will get it right and the writers will bring them back stronger than ever.

I think Steve’s acting has been superb in the past few months and I am loving this Franco storyline. As a Jason fan since he turned into Jason Morgan, I think this will be the most challenging for him and it is about HIM which I love. Having another love interest that does not fit into that lifestyle would not work.

I’m a new fan to GH, started watching in September of this year actually. It was the chemistry between Jason and Sam that made me keep ABC on after One Live to Live instead of shutting it off. I think their chemistry is amazing.

I went and watched old episodes, the entire history of Jason and Sam. They did them wrong in the way they ended. They changed both characters so they were completely unrecognizable. Jason and Sam both did things that I think were unbelieveable. I’m glad I didn’t watch back then because it was horrible.

I also watched Jason and Liz and they do have chemistry. But I think its a friendship. They don’t sizzle to me and I get bored watching them. Besides, lately Liz is not somebody I would want to be associated with. What they have her doing to Lucky and Nik is wrong. The writers are destroying her character too.

And not forgiving Sam, she never wanted Jake to die. She made HORRIBLE mistakes. But I think she’s more than made up for them. I think it’s time for Jason to apologize to Sam. For how he treated her. Before the break up and after.

I personally like where the show is going. I love JaSam…lol. I love Franco. He is so creepy. So I can’t wait to see where it’s going.

I like Steve Burton. I think he is a great actor and I will keep watching to see Jason.

Another great inteview, Michael. Steve Burton has this unassuning quality that carries over to his acting. But, he does have a style all his own. Was he told by the writers or whomever to be the strong silent type in his role as Jason or did he do it himself? I think the scene this past week chastising Michael for being in Jake’s bar, was very telling how he feels about saving Michael and to not follow in Sonny’s shoes. Genuine guy!

Loved the interview Michael! As usual, Steve Burton was honest, funny, and kind…he’s a true gentleman, extremely talented actor and is absolutely wonderful to his fans! My husband and I tape GH every day and watch religiously, it’s fantastic! For for every person who say they “turn off” their TV because their favorite couple is not together, there are twice as many tuning in every day just to WATCH GH! I don’t understand the anger these people have, they seem to forget it is a show and not reality! Some of them should be ashamed for the mean things they say to Steve on Twitter, he is an actor doing his job and has no control over who his character Jason is with! It also amuses me because they say they turn it off but are obviously STILL WATCHING, they just throw that out there in hopes of “scaring” the writers into putting their favorite couple together again, it’s all quite silly actually. I myself have been watching GH since a little girl w/my mom and now, decades later am still a diehard GH fan! GH is so great, even my husband is “hooked”!! We haven’t missed an episode together in over 8 years now! We love all the actors and the story lines just keep getting better and better! We are excited that Steve Burton is coming back to his old “stomping grounds”, the midwest, in February and will be making a 4 hour drive just to see him! We also have two young children (twins) and share the same family values as Steve and his wife, which includes the “exciting” lifestyle Steve jokingly mentioned. Please pass along to Steve that we love him on and off the screen and as for GH, it is only getting bigger and better!
Thank you for sharing this interview w/us it was very enjoyable!
Happy Holidays and God bless!
~Susan A.

I stopped watching the show when Liz and Jason broke up. As a mom, I can never accept that Jason would forgive Sam for all she did to Liz and his son. That is unforgivable even on a soap. I refuse to watch as long as Jason and Sam are together. Jason first priority should be his son. The writers need to look at why the ratings are dropping. The storyline with Franco should have brought in the ratings instead the ratings continue to drop. The ratings don’t lie, the viewers do not accept Jason and Sam.

i love jasam as a couple they are good together. jasam is what’s up for right now the passed coupe of weeks was wonderful for me and i hope they keep it like that. i stop watching gh when liason got together i tried to watch but it was boring too me and other jasam fans as well it wasn’t so much that jasam wasn’t together anymore but how they did her charcater and how they had jason acting towards her threatening her and just being mean to her . jason treated sam wrong casue he could of told her the truth but he ended up letting liz talk him into lying to her and then sam went crazy. jason should of told the truth from the get go and i didn’t like the writing for sam after the break up . but now jasam is what’s best for this type of story line and i wish him and kelly the best and please have the talk so we the fans can know if jasam is in a realationship or not that is the only thing i want to know right now i want to hear the words come out their mouth so make it happened and the interveiw was wonderful and i like how steve didn’t get invloved with the fan base war he just said what needed to be said and i love him for that

Jason chose to do what was best for the child. He put his child before his happiness and that’s what a good father would do. Sam should’ve known that’s what being with Jason MEANT. If she had accepted him. But she slept with Ric to hurt Jason ON PURPOSE. Because her ass needed to seek revenge after Jason pushed Sam away and she couldn’t have kids. Like wtf is her problem. Acting like there’s someone to blame for what she did. She was the one to blame for this. Sam & Lucky. Jason & Elizabeth just got hurt and turned to each other and then the baby happened and they had to do what was best for the child.

That was a good interview and as always Steve Burton’s comments were very pc, but I think that is ultimately the best way to keep all the fans in check.

As for those people who say that they will not tune in if their favorite couple is not together, how can you call yourself a fan? Fans should support their favorite show whether or not they agree with certain storylines. Even if they think the writers are doing an idiotic job, you still have to see it from a certain perspective. Calling out actors and characters (even if you don’t use their names directly…and yes her name is Sam) is rather demoralizing and baseless for all parties involved. I know it’s frustrating when your couple is not on, but there is more to the show than one couple.

And for those who claim GH is making a mistake by reuniting Jason and Sam because Sam is apparently a “crazy kidnapper/murderer of little children,” this is a soap opera. Sam made a lot of mistakes, but she did show remorse and she grew as a person. And it’s not like Elizabeth or Jason didn’t make mistakes as well. Besides Sam’s over-the-top transgression with witnessing Jake’s kidnapping (which was done intentionally to break Jasam up and unite Liason, what Liason fans wanted), let’s count the many mistakes Liason made: had an affair and hurt two other people in the process, lied repeatedly to the people they said they loved, threatened to kill or turn in Sam, turned everyone against Sam and Lucky while ruining their characters in everyone’s eyes, and prevented Sam and Lucky from pursuing their own relationship. Soap characters are guaranteed to make atrocious mistakes, but I don’t see other people calling out other characters and their flaws. What makes Sam an exception?

It’s true that Jason and Elizabeth never really had a story that went beyond the cliched forbidden affair storyline. They might have made a great couple and there probably was more to tell. But the writers gave them a child, which ultimately ties them together forever. So I don’t see why fans are complaining and criticizing when they got what they wanted (at least some of it). The show risked everything (ruining many characters in the process) to bring these two together. And now the show is taking a new direction…that’s just how it goes.

So to threaten to stop watching the show and to bash characters, writers, and actors unless they give you what you want is idiotic. Just accept what you see onscreen; you don’t have to agree but at least accept it. Because one day GH will come off the air (all shows eventually do), and by that point, it wouldn’t matter whether Jason ended up with Sam or Elizabeth.

Great interview! Thank you, Michael and Steve. I started watching GH in late August. I have grown to love the entire show — so many characters and interactions. Steve Burton in the past few days has really impressed me with his acting range. Jason’s scenes with Michael and with Franco were such a treat to watch.

I enjoyed the interview and definitely enjoyed skimming through the comments left by fans/fans-no-longer…It’s interesting how many people take to heart the breaking up of their favorite couple on a television show… Like how some people are actually angry and will stop watching entirely because their couple is no longer..In my opinion, if you were a true fan of Steve Burton or whoever the actor is, you wouldn’t stop watching the show just because his CHARACTER is paired with someone (another CHARACTER) you may not like…He’s still Steve Burton who PLAYS Jason Morgan…

Thanks for the interview, loved the audio feature! I am a HUGE Steve Burton fan. I think he’s a great actor, and seems to be an amazing person, family man, and Christian. During HS and college I kinda caught the show when I could. I feel bad for Steve, that he gets attacked by fans on both sides of the Liason/JaSam (loved them both joking about how to say “JaSam:) debate. Let the man act! Anyways, I think Becky and Kelly are both great actresses- both have had very good scenes with Steve. I definitely think Steve and Kelly are doing a great job right now . . . it’s definitely sexy. I agree with Steve that he and Becky have a natural chemistry. I think it shows on camera that they are good friends. Thanks to YT I’ve caught up on parts of what I missed and I think the s/l to break-up Jason and Sam did seem a bit extreme, even for a soap. As was what I have seen about Jason and Liz. The writers in my opinion kinda botched both attempts. I mean, I know soap plots are out there, but I do think there is a respect that should be paid to fans. And, what they had both Sam and Jason do was pretty out there- especially when you now want them together. And, amid everything w/ Jason’s character over the years, I really liked the friendship he and Liz had . . . and that now seems unlikely . . . and I don’t know what to think about Jason and Jake. Anyways, I digress. Basically, thanks to Steve, you’re AWESOME! And same to both Kelly and Becky! And thanks Michael for the great article!!!

What a great interview!! Steve Burton is such a wonderful actor and I have enjoyed watching his character on GH. I appreciate his hard work and dedication to GH. I still hope that eventually GH will revisit Jason and Elizabeth. I really did enjoy GH exploring the possibility of Jason finally having a family with Elizabeth. It was one of my favorite storylines for this character. I did really want JM to have it all!

As a former GH viewer of over fourteen years, I do not enjoy watching characters being written entirely out of character without any true motivations shown to justify the change or for them to be continually in stories that I find despicable. I was a fan of Jason Morgan once upon a time, the accident with AJ is what made me switch shows and become a daily GH viewer…the Quartermaine’s and the entire canvas of characters and stories were great. But as time went on it became increasingly difficult to be a fan of GH and given Jason Morgan’s storyline of the last year – it was enough to make me switch GH and ABC off entirely. Obviously ABCD and General Hospital do not care – fans have spoken out, ratings have plummeted, etc, etc, and still no major changes or fixes come. You want to know why people are turning GH off – there is an abundance of violence, misogyny, ageism and sleaze. There are no character driven stories that respect history, character integrity or the audience’s investment. Plot points and stunts – that’s what GH offers, and poorly at that. Mr. Burton you are a talented actor and seem like an affable man based on this interview. Good luck to you and your career in the future.

Thank you Steve Burton for confirming what I always suspected. It is a shame ABC does not listen to the majority of the fans and the actors. An exec’s personal agenda seems to be more important than giving the fans a quality show. As a result the show has suffered and the popularity of Jason Morgan has suffered.

If people are no longer watching, that is their right. Who wants to continue to support a show that does not listen to it’s fan and seems to take delight in rubbing our noses in it?

What I do not understand as someone with Children….and yes I am going to bring up Jake’s kidnapping. HOW Disney, ABC and GH heads can ALOW the Jasam s/l. Jake is Jason’s son and Sam just stood there and watched as Moreen took Jake. Yes Sam apologized….fine….whatever. BUT why would GH write that a parent of said child return to a relationship with someone who just watched as his son was being taken? That is my issue with GH and I refuse to watch that relationship or any Sam scenes no matter who she interacts with on screen and will FF every scenes of hers….

It isn’t Sam verses Liz for me. It’s Jason Morgan verses this pod-Jason they have when he is with Sam. I really don’t care if Jason is with Liz, in fact, I prefer he not be with her at this point. But, as a long time Jason Morgan fan, I was utterly turned off to watch him go back to the woman who did all those horrible things to his own child. Jason is more mad at Claudia who unintentionally harmed Michael, than he has EVER been at Sam who intentionally set out to terrorize and harm his kid. Make no mistake, Sam wanted Maureen to take off with Jake and never return. Sam went to Jason and Liz saying “Your the same as me now, your kid is dead”. This is not a woman the REAL Jason Morgan would ever be with.

IMO time for Steve Burton to man up and have some intergity like his good friend Sarah Brown. She wouldn’t and won’t play garbage those goes against who her characters are, just for a paycheck. Steve Burton needs that kind of intergity if he hopes to keep fans of himself and Jason Morgan. Steve Burton has enough sway at GH to say, no to Jasam.

if Steve Burton had the integrity to not play garbage that goes against his character, he would never have treated Sam the way he did and ruined Jasam to pimp Liason, a relationship that will never work unless Jason happens to wake up as someone entirely different – Jason Quartermaine.

To others “all the horrible things” Sam did to Jake… like what? Watching him get kidnapped is one. After that, all she did was try to expose a cover-up that is still tearing Jason apart.

Sbu sounded so stupid saying that Liz represents the white-picket fence. Sam and Jason got together while planning on raising a daughter. Sam may be the ride-or-die chick but she wants to be a mom, and hopefully we get our Jasam baby soon!

If you know anything about the character of Jason, you know he pushes those away he fears he might hurt or was responsible for hurting. Which is what he did with Sam. He also lets people make their own choices and doesn’t spill their secrets. When he and Liz agreed to keep Jake’s paternity a secret, it was his right as the father. Sam, as his girlfriend, didn’t require the knowledge. Especially since, Jake was not a part of their life in any way.

For some of us this isn’t Liason verses Jasam. It is as No-longer-a-Jason-fan said, about Jason being the real Jason Morgan or the pod that he is with Sam.

Liason couldn’t work because Liz wants Jason to reach above his life of a killer. Sam doesn’t care that he kills she likes it. That isn’t accepting a man, for who he is, it is being an accessory to multiple murders.

For Jason, Liz probably does represent the white picket fence. SBu was right in that. Sam/Jason got together because Jason was trying to help her raise Sonny’s kid she had first tried to abort and then tried to give up for adoption. Their relationship has never been about a family or a white picket fence or anything remotely normal. It is about mob hits, mob business, and killing. That is no life for a child.

ladeeb replied March 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm

I know a lot about Jason Morgan, and Jason will never leave the mob because he feels he needs to be the enforcer to protect Sonny, Carly and the kids. He will never settle down and live the quiet, calm life Liz pretends to want. Because if she really wanted to live in peace, she wouldn’t have started an affair with Nikolas.

If you honestly believe that Sam didn’t deserve to know about Jake, then I will just agree to disagree. I know that I would be furious and devastated to learn that the man I was supposed to be spending the rest of my life with had a child with another woman and did not tell me about it. That is such a deep betrayal. Maybe she didn’t have a say in taking Jake’s paternity public but she had a right to know, because Jake will be a part of Jason’s life — if Jake is ever in trouble or the paternity comes out somehow, if Jake ends up needing Jason’s kidney or bone marrow… It’d be better for Jason to have been honest from the beginning about the paternity and the decision to keep it a secret.

So, because Sam didn’t want her child at first, that means that she couldn’t possibly represent a white picket fence? Their relationship was about building a family and a life together for Sam’s daughter in 2004. They have wanted to have a family ever since, working to get pregnant until Sam found out she couldn’t conceive. Yes, they have mob storylines, but that does not define their relationship. They can be adventurous, sweet and down-to-earth. And I believe Sam does accept Jason, because knowing that he will not change, she chooses to stand by him. In the storyline in ’05 when he wanted out of the mob, Sam was happy — it isn’t her first choice for him to be in the mob, but she accepts that this is what being with Jason means.

Realistically, having parents in the mob isn’t a good lifestyle, but neither is having a mother who is constantly disrespecting your father by cheating on him and keeping secrets, a father who ignores you (Sonny) or parents who put themselves before their children. No home on GH is the ideal setup in the real world, but it’s a soap and Jasam deserve a child after all they have been through

Michael thanks for the interview. It’s been over a year and half that Liz and Jsaon have not been together. I really am enjoying General Hospital and feel that it is one of the better soap opera’s out there. I do not like how fans trash Kelly Monaco and her character of Sam. I think alot people forget how the story of Jason and Sam was built out of freindship over the years and turned into a pretty good love story. Many of the JaSam fans were disappointmented on how Sam was written and even though she was a bit of a bad ass her character would have never stood by and watched Jason’s son get kdnapped. Unfortunately the writers tought they needed to do that to sell Liason as a love story.

We also tend to forget the Jason is a mobster and when fans say that the real Jason would not forgive Sam , i just laugh. He kills people for a living and in the end this is a soap opera.

I agree with some of the comments made that if you are true fan u watch because you are a fan of Steve Burton or Kelly Monaco or whomever because u like them regardless of their story line.

I think interviews like this when they continue to bring up past storylines oonly keep adding fuel to a fire and we should be talking about the current story lines more. Steve Burton and James Franco are doing a great job and GH is defintely worth tuning into.

I think fans lose sight of the fact that this is a soap and soaps are known for over the top storytelling. The character of Sam has done some bad things but so have most on the canvas. If you look at OLTL Todd sold Jack but he and Blair got back together so what is the difference? It happens on soaps all the time so we as fans/viewers have to expect the unexpected. As for any fan base thinking they are the reason the numbers are down I say step into the world of reality. No one couple or character can make or break a soap. Just look at Y&R. How many fan favorite couples have been torn apart yet the numbers are solid? I’ts called good storytelling,not agenda and couple driven dribble. If you don’t want to watch then don’t but at the same time stop giving yourselves so many pats on the back.This is so much bugger than an angry fan base.

I’m so sick of hearing, ” I can’t believe Jason is back with the woman that watched his son get kidnapped”! Some believe he’s acting OOC, guess what, alot of us believe that he was acting OOC the whole time he was lying about Jake to the woman he loved, Sam was also acting OOC when she watched him being taken and did nothing! Heck, it’s a soap, stranger things have happened! Luke raped Laura, and she went on to fall in love, marry, and have kids with him! Their still one of the best supercouples ever! Alan & Monica threatened to kill each other and were still together when he died, so IMO Jason reuniting with Sam is not a shocker! I hated how they tore apart Jasam, but I never stopped watching because of it! I’ve watched GH for over twenty years, and I’ve never seen anything between Liason! They bored me to death, and I never saw any chemistry between them, The only thing I’ve ever saw between them was friendship!
I love Jasam, and I’m thankful to the writers for putting this great couple back together! Jasam have it all IMO,love,romance, comedy & adventure! I love that they have been through hell and back, and are still going strong!! Steve & Kelly are doing a great job and I am one happy Jasam fan!!

I am so tired of the predictability of GH. You can guess the end as soon as the story starts. Bad guy encroaches on mob terroritory, Jason and Sonny win. Someone gets killed- no one goes to jail. Cops will bumble any case they have against anyone doing something wrong.

If you get a couple that’s good, GH will overexpose them and then destroy them. There’s nothing to cheer for….there’s no hope, no joy, and the only thing you can count on GH for is sleaze, violence, and disrespect towards women(who are the main audience).

What I am waiting for- is something different. I am waiting to see the vets respected. I am waiting for GH to get a new EP and head writer.

Thanks for the interview, I really enjoyed it! I can completely empathize with the Liason fans being upset about their pairing’s demise. I felt the same way when the ended Jasam a couple years ago. I stopped watching live, youtube, and stopped visiting/posting at GH/Jasam sites. I just cut GH out completely because it was no longer enjoyable. I might have missed the Jasam reunion if I hadn’t seen a SID cover with them on it at the grocery store. What I did not do, and for the life of me can’t understand others who do, is question the integrity of the actors. They are real people who have mortgages, car notes, families to provide for, etc… I find it rather interesting that “former viewers/fans” of GH and or Jason Morgan and Steve Burton still find time in their days to search for interviews on the internet and then post about it!

I’m enjoying the show right now and will continue to watch until I don’t. Thanks again for the great interview!

Very well done article. I don’t care who Jason is paired with…it makes a great storyline. I really don’t like it when people bash other characters. Thanks for asking about James Franco. The Franco storyline is one of the best stories that GH is ever had! I don’t care what other people say, we are EXTREMELY lucky to have him and will welcome him back with open arms.

Looks like Steve has confirmed what many have said for months now… about who is dictating how JM has been written and with whom they want him paired, whether it makes sense to viewers or not.

I will never buy that Jason would EVER forgive or forget what that con did to his SON and the woman he loves! Nope JM doesn’t DO forgiveness… so writing him in such a way only ruins his character even more.

Sam’s INTENT was to have Jake to never be seen by his parents again.. that way he would be GONE and she would get what she wanted, All becaue her little feelings were hurt! She intentionally TAUNTED both Jason and Liz with the thoughts that they would never see their son again… So for anyone who has children to condone what that VILE Nasty woman did and have the FATHER of said child boinking her now is just all kinds of WRONG. Never going to be on board with any of that vileness.

I for one will not support a show that thinks they can trash beloved characters and think we will just sit back and take it. I am just one of those viewers that Brian Frons just hates, I can’t be TRAINED into liking vile crap no matter how long he pimps and promotes it.. its stilll vile and I still won’t watch it…

I hope GH gets a clue soon. I would like to see how Jason deals with Franco but not as long as he’s with the woman who wanted his son Gone and betrayed him the way she did.. Nope not something I would want to ever watch….

Jason has sunk to new lows in being put back with that woman and I can only hope that soon TPTB will realize that some fans just will never be okay with it no matter how they try to spin it..

Thank you Michael for this interview I really enjoyed reading it. I am a huge Steve Burton fan. Loving the Franco and Jason and Sam stories. And I really do think that GH would be doing a lot better in ratings if the fans were actually loyal to GH instead of one particular couple, actor or storyline. Stick with it through think and thin all shows have their ups and downs. Anyway I love GH and watch everyday if I like the storyline or not.

For Steve Burton and Scott Reeves to have a s/l all they have to do is explore the fact that their biological moms are cousins or were they sisters? They eluded to this a long time ago when Sarah Webber first come on the show. When she saw Jason for the first time she made a comment that he looked kind of like her brother.

tptb are correct jasam have love passion and adventure
if ppl would stop bring up the liz s/l ppl would move on
liz and jason bored me to death i want a soap not pbs and ppl need to relieze SB doesnt write gh and he isnt JM
lets be honest would on a soap ppl have for given each other for worse things its a soap and its finally getting good
sB IS AMAZING cant wait to see what happens

GO JASAM!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I also have been watching GH for 10 years & just started watching it right when Kelly (sam) came on the show. I loved the relationship JaSam had & fell in love with the couple. Once the writers broke them up,I was pissed! I stopped watching the show.They really made Sam look like somebody she’s not. I’m so happy the writers finally decided to put this couple back together. Once I found out they were gonna try again with JaSam I tuned in. I’ve been watching it since. They both have so much in common. They’re adventurous,funny & love the danger that comes there way. They are Bonnie & Clyde. They are the main reason I watch this show. So TY Guza for putting them back together. Please Please Please don’t screw us!! The ratings WILL drop tremendously if that happens again. I’m speaking for all JaSam fans! Jason & Sam make a hot couple. Lets keep it that way. Liason was boring & they had nothing in common until Jake came along. I fell asleep everytime they were on. They just don’t match. They have different aspects of life. Jason doesn’t have to change who he is when he’s with Sam. He does’t have to act like somebody he’s not, unlike how he was with Liz…..True Story…..

I have always enjoyed watching SBu play Jason on GH, it was his story of Jason Q becoming Jason M that kept me interested as a teen after seeing Stone die. It was great storytelling, seeing that complete 180 in a character and how it affected all the characters who knew Jason Q and gave alot of information that made the audience understand Jason’s decision to leave the Q’s, what attracted him to befriend work for Sonny, explained how he justified his job and life for a very long time. I saw him love Keisha, Robin, Liz, Courtney, Sam, Carly…. and I understood alot of those relationships, but lets be honest, since Jason Q became Jason M, all his love stories have been sort of one noted, with the exception of Liz. With her, I finally got to see somemore evolution from Jason M. Like Sbu said he began to want more out of his life (Jason M) he wanted to shut all the violence out, wanted to isolate himself with Liz and Jake, this was something new from Jason. Before it had always been about the women in his life having to conform to fit his life, this was the first time I saw Jason wanting to change, wishing he was better, different so he could be with Liz (and not because she demanded it of him, he wanted it for her and Jake and himself). This was development of this character for me, and I have a very hard time watching him go back to Sam because we are right back into a situation where Jason is with a woman he expects to conform to his lifestyle, to accept he is what he is and is not gonna change or grow, its boring now. Now that I’ve seen Jason want more for himself than just another woman that will change her life to simply be near him, that happens to not flinch at the site of him killing, and that enjoys the danger he can bring to her life, again its boring. I feel like I’ve seen it all before, with Carly, with Courtney, now with Sam, all women who prided themselves on being what woman enough for Jason because they get his work? I was very much looking forward to seeing more internal conflict for Jason, where he wants to keep Liz and Jake in that safe cottage, together, happy and away from “his world”, I felt like I might get to see this back when he and Liz first met years ago, but for some reason or another it was abruptly haulted and they went in a different direction with Courtney. I still watched and enjoyed it for what it was, but always thought one day they would get back on that road with Liz and Jason. When I saw Jason with Sam, I grew to enjoy them, unfortunatly again she became this character who altered her life to be with Jason, and Jason kept on trucken… then we finally got back to visting Jason and Liz, and honestly, I saw the potential for the story to be even better than I even anticipated for this character and thought the delay was worth the wait, and yet again Jason and Liz were shoved out of the way and never really given a story together. (Yes they had a child, or Liz had a story of being torn about Jake and Jason with Lucky, then Jason had a story of being torn about safety, Liz and Jake, but we never got a real Liz and Jason story together) And just like years ago, I feel like it was shoved aside to pair Jason back with a woman that is gonna shove any life she could lead aside to be the easy relationship for Jason. The evolution of the entire show, the growth potential and the changing of the gaurds (as we could have seen Jason trying to be with Liz/Jake and also seen the new generation of mobsters stepping up trying to fill his role) but all of that was ended, to retell a story that GH has told a multitude of times for Jason. Its simply gotten old, and dull that is why GH has lost my attention. Its not really the issue of Liz or bust with Jason, for me, its about movement of storylines, and growth of characters. Jason was always that hot guy that you could watch and dream about and be a total girl fan about, he isn’t that for me anymore, GH doesn’t write any man on the show to be that for me. I’m 30 years old, I don’t want to see this Jason anymore, it was great when he was 21-35 now that Jason is pushing 40, he’s really become more of a Coleman (true bachalor for life) than a heart throb.

I think this Franco storyline could have been great to lead Jason back to Liz, even without them getting back together it could have been a great chance of actually giving Liz and Jason a story together seeing as Liz graduated with a degree in art, and for a long time wanted to be a professional artist. She would have made sense in this storyline, without having to change and force her character into it, instead we are watching Jason star in it and Sam conform her life and PI business to fit with what Jason needs at the moment. Repeatative and dull in the end.

(No spell check so sorry about that, wonder if Bill Gates knew one day his amazing computer software system would be such a factor in the demise of the english language?)

i have been along time fan of gh. im a 57 year old grandmother.i have loved watching (jason) evolve into the person he is now.steve you are doing an excellent job portraying the many sides of (jason). i think(jason ) coming down on michael at jakes and carlys was some of ur best work. i was surprised at the depth u showed and not backing down to michael.i still wish the would have let u and becky further explore the relationship between (jason-liz and jake ) more. who knows maybe someday ur fans will get to see that really happen again.i love ur interaction with spinelli.wish u would throttle maxi- she gets on my nerves too lol.what is jasons thoughts on liz remarrying lucky and selling the house jason bought for them ?keep up the great work ,and looking forword to see how the (franco) story line is going to go.god bless and happy holidays to u and urs and to all the crew on gh.love u all .

Poor, poor Steve he is a company man isn’t he. Unfortunately he isn’t good at math or he would realize less viewers means rating go down. He said some slightly interesting things but overall he said nothing. Michael you must like Steve because you interview him a lot, try Becky or Tyler or Jonathan or even Tony next time.

Oh Steve just because Franco can learn 300 pages doesn’t make your s/l interesting or watchable. Any actress you have to prop up that much obviously needs more help than you can give her. Point Kelly to a good acting coach.

this is just mean-spirited and unnecessary. it also demonstrates a complete lack of understanding as to the acting process. Any actor worth their paycheck wants to rehearse. A great actor gets there by tirelessly seeking more. Working harder and working with people who are as passionate as they. Kelly Monaco walked into GH behind the eight ball in terms of the actors she was playing with and against. She stuck it. She worked for it. And baby…she has it.

Hey, here’s an interesting aside for you…look up Michael Jordan and how he became, arguably, the greatest b-ball player in the history of the game. What he did, is what a person does when they not only want something, but decide to excel at it.

Lastly, that smartass remark about “company man”. Are you independently wealthy? You must be…or are you just a hypocrite?
Or…you must move from job to job to job…cause you’re so brave and have so much integrity that whenever something doesn’t go the way you feel it should…you march directly to the head honchos office and give ‘em what for, right? RIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHT…

mean spirited perhaps but unnecessary not hardly–hello I spoke my mind and as it turns out I still have that right. Please I’ve watched enough actors over the years to know a good one when I see one and Kelly Monaco isn’t one of them. Steve Burton is an okay actor but his scenes with her always look forced like his talking to someone who isn’t dealing with a full deck. No BABY she doesn’t have IT. He makes fun of her at his PA’s-yes it’s indirect but it is there I heard it myself so.

I am well aware of all MJ has done before and after his tour with the Bulls and well if you’re comparing SBu or god forbid KM to MJ hello not a good comparison. So far neither of those actors has changed the face of soap operas.

Thank you for asking about my financial status yes I am in fact independently wealthy and I may be a bit of a hypocrite also who knows, but it appears that you may also be one to; and as stated above it is my opinion and unless it is a requirement to agree then I stick by what I said.

I’ve always been known for speaking my mind and see no reason to stop. We all have our favorite actors/characters. If you like KM then good for you, I don’t, though I thought she held up really well on DWTS.

SBu has made it totally clear where he stands and if you consider that a smart ass remark then all I can say is–oh well. He’s a public figure it goes with the territory.

I can no longer watch GH due to the horrible story line and lack of consistency in characters. They have totally trashed my favorite character Liz and if Jason could not overlook what Robin did with Michael, I can’t see how he can so quickly overlook what Sam did with Jake and Cam. (since Cam was around when they were threatened). I loooved watching this show, but can no longer take having horrible stories and couples shoved down my throat. GH needs to serioulsy overhaul there writing.

Loved this interview Michael, you do such a great job with them! GH is my favorite guilty pleasure! Steve is not only adorable and talented… he is a really good man. Please do more GH interviews. The Franco/Steve story is great! A bit more twisted than expected, but it is working. I don’t understand the JASAM/LIASON issues, Steve is great with everyone and any chance to see him really have some story is awesome! Thanks Michael!!!

I have stop watching GH since December 2008, how can TPTB make Jason the hero when he is a deadbeat father on the show. How he can be around other people children but not his son who he has sold for 5 mil. I use to watch GH when they had Anna, Duke, Sean and the other and the hospital was involve, but this GH is the Sonny, Jason, Carly, Sam mob show and not GH. How can TPTB can show people that it is all right for someone to do terrible things to children and it is all right. I am looking at Y&R and DOOl and telling people to stop watching GH all together, I am so happy that the ratings are low maybe next we will see they are being cancel and that will show TPTB to listen to their fans, they are the ones that bring in the ratings.

Uummm…if the CHARACTER Jason had SOLD his child for 5 million dollars, Liz would have given HIM the money, not the other way around.

Honestly people! Over and over I read entries that show a clear inattention to detail and story line. If you must lash out, get it right!

btw, if you watched the characters, Anna, Duke, Sean, etc, Idk how you can complain about the characters in current story lines. You do remember those story lines…? Ignoring children, sleeping around, cheating each other, lying, intrigue, murder, I mean, HOLY CROW, Batman!

sorry, Michael and Steve, that last line was just a shameless re-use:)

While I am no fan of the GH mob, Jason is not a deadbeat dad. He gave his son up for “adoption” because he realized that his enemies would target his son and his son’s mother. Frankly, that was the most responsible thing he could do. Even quitting the mob, it seems, does not remove the target off one’s back. Look at what’s become of Michael. Is that what you would have for Jake?

As to your point about Jason selling his son. That makes no sense since neither Elizabeth nor Lucky, the adoptive father of Jason’s son, have any money. She is a nurse and he’s a cop.

Finally, you mention Anna and Duke. You do realize that Duke Lavery was a criminal who died because of his mob ties?

iam sorry Steve Burton but i have been watching general hospital 4ver you and and Elizabeth together and the passion between you both and the chemistry between you both and now you have a child together i understand that they don’t want you guys together but I DO want you both together and how come they don’t have more scenes of you and Jake or how you bend over backwards like you do for Micheal for Jake instead pleas and i would like to know when Monica will find out that Jake is her grandson she needs excitement to her life i think you and Elizabeth should tell her ,,,,,,, Elizabeth and Jason Morgan fan

Huge Steve Burton/Jason and STECKY fan and I think it is wonderful of him to speak on it miss their friendship that has spanned a decade and awesome natural chemistry. That they are friends off-screen must play a part in their charisma on-screen. Sorry TPTB won’t allow them to continue maybe one day he’ll hopefully change his mind and tell their story with a more positive focus that will be a true love story…not star crossed lovers.

But a “positive” story for them where they end up together for awhile many fans have waited ten years to see this. I tuned in after being on hiatus for years in 2006 just to see Jason and Elizabeth.

Still hoping GH moves from that dreadful #5 spot STAT!

Don’t understand this at all his scenes with Franco are amazing. Im still playing clips really good acting against this A-list movie star so I’m surprised the ratings aren’t higher.

Still don’t get the only artist of Port Charles excluded from the Franco storyline it doesn’t make sense especially with some of the characters who are involved. But it was published by the HW that only major characters would be included.

However, I am excited he’s in a storyline about “Jason Morgan the character.” Usually its Michael, Sonny, Carly…still do not understand how he can be around the whole town with them in and out of his PH2 like a revolving door but not his own child..(guess they are bullet-proof).

Many of us have waited for him to have a child of his own especially since he prioritizes everyone elses but not Jacob…handing over his kid, keeping him in a box on the back of a top closet shelf while I see him willing to change his life and blubber over a kid he hijacked from his brother (who was written a villan for wanting his own kid) is not a good thing for this Jason Morgan fan first. Have you hugged your box today?

Nice interview but liason belongs together no matter what and Steve has a better connection with Becky on screen then Kelly and GH as others have said ratings went down and i think we all know why no matter what any of the cast say. I hope something comes out good for liason. When liason gets bk together you should do another interview with Steve thanx.

Thank you for the interview. I just found this site. Steve is a class act. I will watch him in anything he plays in. I follow him on Twitter and he is a funny, informative family man. He’s a Christian and says so. Thank you Steve for you insight into your role and info into the wonderful world of “General Hospital”.

I love JaSam. LOL! I hate Liz, she sucks!!!!!!!!!!!! Liz is entirely too needy, and clingy. I love Liz, and Nicolas Cassadine. I am a true JaSam fan 4-ever. JaSam has so much chemistry. JaSam, is like Bonnie, and Clyde. JaSam is meant to be together. I can’t wait until JaSam has a “baby” together. A baby would tye JaSam together for life. When JaSam were broken up, I STOP watching GH. I can’t get enough of GH since JaSam have been back together dating exclusively. GH is my all time favorite show since JaSam has been put back together as one. GH Fan 4-life.

Liz Weber is extremely ferttle. Everytime Liz slepts with a man for the very first time, she ends up pregnant. Jake was a total mistake between Liz, and Jason. I want Liz, and Nicolas to have a baby together. Liz, and Lucky r very boring, their isn’t any chemistry between Liz, and Lucky. Liz is a true SLUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite GH couple is Jason Morgan, and Sam McCall. JASam is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JaSam is very sexy, steamy, spicy, and they r also adventuous. I love JaSam together. I would like for JaSam 2 get married, and have a baby together. If JaSam doesn’t get married soon, and start a family of their own, I will not be watching GH any longer. JaSam together as one, for ever.

What an interesting interview. I have had a crush on Steve Burton since I was 7 years old (he was on Out of This World at the time) I was so happy when I found him again on GH. I think he is a great actor and I love watching him work.
I don’t watch GH anymore, though. I am a Liz and Jason fan but not only that, I’m a fan of quality. I’m tired of GH and its hatred of women. Of its character hypocrisy and character destruction. I basically got tired of the Carly/Sonny/Jason hour. Even I, with my love of SB, began to get annoyed with Super-Jason. Is there any story that these three are not apart of? I stopped watching for a variety of reasons. But since the Liason/Jasam argument seems to be in the forefront, I will discuss that. I have waited for years for my couple to have their moment. Every couple gets their moment. And when you build and build a couple for 10 years and then don’t truly give them time to be and grow and shine then you have cheated, not just Liason fans, but ALL GH fans. Having a hidden affair and a love child is NOT a moment. This is why Liason fans are so very VERY angry. On top of that, Jason goes back to Sam. I don’t care what Sam went through, you don’t endanger children. Hence everyone’s hatred of Claudia. Oh well, Jake didn’t die, everything is ok, right? Wrong!
I don’t believe in bashing actors, they play a role. I do, however, believe in bashing certain execs who can’t get past their own agendas to see the greater good of the product they produce. The problem is not just with one couple or love triangle. The entire show is subpar. I am tired of screeching Carly, brooding Nik, Sonny and his 5889 illegitimate children, Lulu and the 3902 loves of her life, Jason and the word danger (only to Elizabeth because everyone else seems to be ok) Spinelli period. The show started losing its luster a while ago and I finally realized that at 30 I had just outgrown it. I am not GH’s target audience. There is a reason why the only group GH is number 1 in is girls aged 12-17.

Even though this interview was done a few years ago it explains why I do not watch GH anymore! He clearly wanted Liason to work out, he is basically saying he was forced by ‘the powers that be’ to make Jasam work, this is why GH started becoming boring to me, and I used to rush home from elementary shcool, starting in 1985, to watch GH, I stopped watching it religionistly though when Lucky came back from the dead in 2000 or 2001, I only watched it on and off, I didn’t like what they did to his character when he was played by Jacob Young, I only watched during the times Liason was together, or somewhat together, I’M A HUGH Rebecca Herbst FAN AND THEY HAVE REALLY PISSED ME OFF THE WAY THEY TREAT HER, ON AND OFF THE SHOW, AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO HER CHARACTER NOW, I REFUSE TO WATCH AND JUST PRAY SHE GOES TO ANOTHER SHOW THAT I CAN WATCH HER ON BECAUSE I’M DONE WITH THE WAY THEY REDEEM A LOT OF CHARACTERS AND THEN MAKE IT WHERE SHE CAN’T BE REDEEMED, IT’S SICKENING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Burton is definitley my favorite character on GH he is such a great guy with a killer body!!! He is such a great actor I would love to meet him I probably couln’t EVEN control myself I watch him everyday he is just such a HOTTIE. This interview was GREAT I love the Franco storyline can’t wait to see him return and I WANT MORE STEVE BURTON!!!

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I am laughing at this interview regarding Liason vs Jasam. Steve B. told a group of fans at a PA that Liason didn’t score well in Focus Groups and that they ended them because of that. He said that Jasam scored the highest a couple can score. He knows that. Lusam was extremely popular during the Jasam breakup…and he knows that also. I was also under the impression that Jasam were ALWAYS the plan to be reunited.